Lightning-arrester.



N. J. CONRAD. LlGHTNlNG ARRESTER- Armcmou men MAR-30,19. 1,251,754. Patented Jan. 1, 1918.

Z SHEETSSHEET l- N. .l. CONRAD.

LIGHTNING ARRESTER. APPLICATION men MAR. 30. 1911.

in Edmund O.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE.

mcnoms J. comm, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, assxcuon 'ro scnwnrrzna & commn, me, or on'xc'aco, Immerse conronn'rxon pr ILLINOIS.

LIGHTNINCi-ARRESTE B.

To allwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NICHOLAS ajcitizenof the United States; residin at Chicago; in the county of Cook and tate 6 of Illinois, have inven ed a certain new and uiseful Improvement in Lightning-Arresters; :of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, form- '10 .in a part of this specification. y invention relates to lightning nrresters ofthe horn gap type and more particularly relates to an improvement upon. the structure'shown in atents granted to myself and chweitzer jointly as follows: No. 1151726 August 31st 191.

No. 1164757 December 21 1915.

This type of arrester is designed to effect relief from over voltages regardless of the flfl origin of the same with a minimum disturbance of the voltage on the line.

'The ideal qualitiesfor an arrester are,

ability to give instant relief from over "oltage but without causing disturbance upon.

26 the line; ability to interrupt positively the flow of current;v ruggedness and service- 'ability together, with low cost of construe tion and maintenance.

l g It is the aim of this invention to provi an S; improved structure fora lightning arrester having as fares possible the flb0\("(llllllltl$. Further and more specific aims will be up.- jparentfrom the following' specification whichy. togetherwith ,th accompanying 8U drawings, deseribesand il ustrates an em bodiment of the invention. Figure 1 is a side elevation of a lightning .arrester constructed in accordance with my invention; I

Fig. 2 is a' fragmentary cross sectional view showing the manner of mounting the resistance-members; Fig. 3 is a plan view and Fig. 4 a side elevation ofoneof the spring terminals for 45 engaging the resistance members; and

Fig. 5 is an end elevation and Fig. 6 a side elevation of a form of terminal clips or mounting for engaging the other ends of the resistance members.

of F 1g. 1. *The arr-ester comprises essentially a pair of horn gap electrodes 1 and 2 which are supported in suitable. relation to each other 56 upon a ar o h nnel iron 3. The electrode Specification of Letters I'atent.

Application filed March 30, 1917. Serial No. 158,550.

J. Cosimo.

ed'g'ewise toward the corresponding clec Fig. 7 is a cross section taken on-line 7--7 Patented Jan. 1, 1918.

1 is connectedto the line by means of a s'fiitable terminal 4 and the. electrode 2 lik connected-by means of the terminal ,5 to "ground. A line insulator (3 of sufficient insulating capacity lac-safeguard the voltage of the particular line formsun insulating support for the electrode 1. The insulator .6 is mounted upon a metal )lIl 7 that is bolted to the (hannel bar 3. '1 1e top of the insulator 6 sup- )orts a cap or clamp member 8 which has iiolted'theret'o a clamp member 9 for clamp ing the lower. horizontal portion of the electrode l. l This electrode comprises 9. rec tahgulancppper bar 10 which is presented tr'ode 2. The electrode 1 is divided into two operating parts, namely, the converging R OX'tlOHIIO and the diverging portion 11. he converging portion of the electrode 1 is mounted upon a backing member 12 76 which comprises n piece of flat bar material which has a diagonal port'ion13 and a horizontal portion 14, the rear end of which horizontal portion is connected to the con verging'part'll of the'elcctrode by bending the upper end of the portion 11 sharply downward to form a tie 15 between the ex treme upper end of the-diverging portion and the supporting bar 14, A reinforcing ba r lfi'urlderlies the bar 14 and the bar 14 86 is clamped against the stationary bar 16 by :means of the clamp member 9 on top of the insulator 6 to hold the electrode 1, in any desired position. .The stationary bar=16 is fastened to the 'cap 8. This permits adjustment of the electrode 1 without disturbing the terminal 4.

It will be noted that at the oint where. the convergent portion '10 and tie divergent portion 11- join each other, the electrode 1 96 approaches most closely to the electrode 2.

This point indicated by reference character 17 I desi nate as the throat of the spark gap. The e ectrode 2 is sectionalized and the sections are connected together through resistance members for limiting the flow of current. A piece of heavy iron pipe 19 is mounted by means of a flange 20 upon the channel member 3. Within the upper end of the pipe 19 is embraced an insulating 106 column 21 which, as shown in Fig. 2, consists of a central core of impregnated wood 22 surrounded by a sleeve or facing of bakelized fiber which protects the;- wood from damage by the weather. up

. cap mem most disk 27 is connected by means of'a short link 28 to the divergent portion 25 of the electrode 2 while the lowermost disk 27 .is connected through a diagonal bar 29 and a horizontal bar 30 with the pipe 19 and the ground terminal 5 The intermediate terminals are connected between the above mentioned terminals through resistance members, as will be described. The circular sections or .disks 27 are supported upon the outer ends of the insulating tubes 31 which are mo'rtised into the insulating column, as shown in Fig. 2, The disks 27 are made of socalled non-arcing metalconsisting of an alloy of zinc and copper. The outer end of the insulating sleeve 31 is closed by a. mo-

tallic cap 32 which embraces and binds the open end of the sleeve 31. A spring clip, as is shown in Figs. 5 and 6, is electrically andme hanically secured upon the inside of the cap 32 in such position that the spring terminal 33 slides inside of the o en end of the sleeve 31. The circular dis 27 is secured upon the cap 32 by means of a 'machine screw 34 which has a spring Washer 35 held under its head in. order to insure that the disk will remain clamped in place. A resistance member 36 has its endsgrip ed in the spring clip or socket 33 and the other end of the resistance member is connected to a spring socket member 37 which is shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 4. The spring terminal 37 is formed of a cup of brass which is slotted as shown in Figs..3 and/1 at right angles as indicated at 38 and one side of each slot is depressed to form a spring finger or gripping member.

The terminal 37 is connected by meansof a screw 39 to a flat conductor 40 which is fastened by means of a suitable screw 41 to the cap member-32 of the next lower tube.

. The outer ends of the tubes 3i, are supported in proper spaced relation'by means 01a spacin member 42 which com rises a flat piece 6 insulating material having suitable openin s for receiving the'insu ating tubes 31 811 'other openings as shown at 43 for the fiat conductors 40. e lower end of the spacing member 42 is connected by a short link 44 to the diagonal member 29 which supports the lowermost disk 27 so that all of these parts are rigidly held in proper spaced relation. The lowermost terminal member 37 is connected by means of a conductor 45 to the bar 30 and thus to the ground terminal 5.

It can now be seen that the terminal disks 27 are connected to each other in each case in series with a suitable resistance member 36 interposed. Due to the converging space between the electrodcs 1 and 2 which has its narrowest portion at the throat 17, the tendency will be for any excess voltage to break down the air gap at the throat 17 which, however,' is the point of greatest circuit resistance to the passage of current. The diagonal members 13 and 29 arc each provided with a spherical electrode member 46- and 47 respectively which form a convenient path for the immediate relief of high frequency disturbances. These spherical electrodes are placed directly below the horn electrodes so that.a discharge initiated be tween them will be transferred to the horn electrodes and there extinguished.

The entire electrode structure 1 may be adjusted toward or away from the electrode structure 2 by loosening the clamping member 9'and sliding the bar 14 under said clamping member to thc desired position. Suitable pins 48 and 49 limit the adjust-- ment of the arrcster within the rating of the arrester.

The operation of the arrcster is as follows:

The electrode 1 is at all -times subject to the linc'potential andtbe potential of the electrmle 2 is that of the ground. As the shortest air gap between these electrodes 'exists at the throat 17, the tendency will be for the "discharge first to break down the air gap at this point. However, the flow of current across the throat of' the arrestcr will ei-zpcrience a maximum of resistance in passagto the ground. The ga s between the tcri'ninal disks 27 are so a( justed with respect to the resistance 36 that for a rise of potential which is slightly greater than that which will break down the air 11o gap at the throat 17 the current will flow in series through the resistances. If the potential is substantially greater, the current may jump across a part or all of the gaps between the terminaldisks 27 and thus pass to the ground terminal If the current which passes across the gap at'the throat 17 and in series through the resistances 36 is insufficient to relieve the excessive pressure, the are which is formed will s read downward -to successive terminal dis s 27 thcrcby'finding a path to ground which contains a lesser circuit resistance because fewer 'of the resistance members 86. are included.

proved upwardlathe' resistance members 36 low the throat comprisin a series of short w ll be successively inserted in the circuit metallic sections scparate from each other and the arcwlll finally be blown'up along in the direction of the length of the electhe diverging arms 11 and and be broken. trode, resistancei'ncmb'ers connected between 5 I The are; will thus always tend to be said sections, a column of insulation and a formed through a path of less break-down plurality of individual insulated supportstrength and less carryin capacity. If ing members connected to said column of in- -the capacity to discharge W1 lnot relieve the sulation and supporting said metallic secpressure a path of greater break-down tions, o strength and greater current carrying ca- I 3. In an arrcster', a pair of electrodes paclty will then be brought into play until forming a spark gap converging upward to theexcess pressure" is relieved. At the same a throat, said electrodes having means. for

time a tendency is created by the upward breaking the are, one of the electrodes be- I 4 draft or current of air to'coniine the dislow the throat'comprising a series of 3':r

I15 charge to a path of less carrying capacity cular disks plajccdedgc to edge and resist- 5 andto break the are. entirely. ance means connecting said disks, said disks The electrode disks 27, if they become being held with their ledges out of contact.

damaged, may be readily renewed, or if y 4. In'an' arrester, a pair of horn gapelecdamaged only at one point they may be trodes lying in substantially a vertical plane,

20 turned so as to present a fresh surface to said c'lectrt'xleshaving a spark forming a 35 the adjacent" disk. The disks 27 are ar converging upward to.a throat, said eecranged preferably in a vertical line, altrodes having each a divergent horh above though it is to be understood that this atthe throatfor breaking the arc, one-of the ,rangement isnot necessary. electrodes below the throat comprisin a se- -25 The spherical electrodes 46l7 are set ries of short metallicsections separate from back a sl'i'ghtdistanoe from the line of the -each other in the direction of the length of,

electrodes 1 and 2. The articular function the electrodes, resistance members connected ofthe spark g'ap'formed' etween the spheri ,between said sections, acolumn of insulac111 electrodes is to present a direct-and cont-ion and a plurality ofindividual insulated so venient path for hi'h frequency which gap supportingmembers connected to said -col- I call a high spec gap. The high speed umn of insulation and'supporting said megap is in parallel with the main gap and tallic sections.

' presents a direct route of greater break 5. In an arrester, apair of horngap elec-. down strength but of less impedance which trodes lying in substantially a verticalplane,

35, is particularly desirable for high frequency one of said electrodes being supported upon n disturbance. Thus I haveprovided a series an insulator and connecte to the line, the "of'gaps in parallel, the "ones of less breakother of saidelectrodes being supported upon down-strength having greater resistance and a metallic post and being adapted to be contheone of maximum break-down strength nected to ground, said electrodes having' a 40 ha ing a minimum of impedance. j:- spark forming gap converging upward to The invention may appear in other forms a throat and aving each a divergent horn than the particular embbdiment described. above the throat for breaking the arc, the and illustrated. outer ends of said horn being secured to the I claim: post and to the insulator respectively, one of 45 I 1. In'an arrester, a pair of horn gap electhe electrodes below the throat comprising trodes having a spark forming gap converga series, of short metallic sections separated ingl upward to a throat, said electrodes havfrom. each other in the direction of the length,

. mg each a divergent horn above the throat of the electrodes, resistance members comfor'breaking the are, one of the electrodes prising horizontal rods connected between 50 below the throat comprising a series of short said sections, a column of "insulation and a metallic sections separated from each other plurality of individual sup ort' members in the direction of the length of the eleccomprising hollow. rods 0 -in'su ation con- ,trode,, substantially horizontal resistance nected to said column and supporting said members connected between said sections, metallic sections, said resistance members 55 anda "plurality 'of individual-substantially being'disposed in said hollo'w rods.

V lIOI'iZaDfQiLSUPPOFbiILE members each member 6. In an arrester, a pair of horngap elecsupporting one of, said metallic-seetionsfiand trodes lying in substantially a'vertical plane, one'flof said resistance members and conduc-" one of said electrodes being supported upon L torsfconnectingthe rear end. of onemesist an insulator and connecte to the line, the

60 ance with the fronttof an adjacent resist other of said electrodes 'beingsupported upon ance. a metallic post and bein adapted to be'con- 2. In an arr-ester, -apa i' r offelectrodcs -nected to ground, said e ectrodes defining a forming a spark gap convergingjupward to spark gap converging'upward to a throat a throat, said electrodes havin meahs for and having eacha divergent hornabove the the arc, the outer ends of.

65 breaking the arc, one of the e ectrodes bethroat for said horn being secured to the post and tothe insulatoigrespectively, one of said elee-" trodes below,the throat comprising a series;- of short metallic sections separated from each other in the-direction of the lengthlof the elect'rode's, .disk members. comprising horizontal rods connected between said sections, a column of insulation and a plurality of individual supporting members comprising hollow rodsof insulation connected to sald column and supporting said metallic sections, said resistancemembers being disposed in said hollow rods, and means for holding said hollow rods and said metallic sections properly spaced from each other.

In an arrester, a supporting base, a metallic post mounted on said base, a column of insulation supported on'said post, a series of rods of insulating materialprojecting from said post, metallic caps on the free ends of said rods, resistance means supported on. said rods and connections for said resistance means and said caps to place the resistance means in series with the caps. '5

8. In an arrcster, a supporting base, a metallic post mounted on said base, a column of insulation supported on said post, a series of rods of insulating material projecting from said ost, metallic caps on the free ends of the r0 5, resistance means supported on hair] rods, and connected between individual ones of the series of caps and a round connection on said post, said groun connection being connected in series with said resistance means.

9. In an arrester, a supporting base, a column of insulation supported on said base, a series of hollow rods of insulating material projecting from the-sides of said post, metallic caps on the free ends of said rods, a. divergent hornconnected to the upper cap and havingits free end connected to said column, resistance means lying in said rods and connections for said resistance means and caps to place the resistance means in series with the caps.

10. In an arrester, a supporting base,a column of insulation supported on said base, a series of rods of insulating material projecting from said column, metallic caps on the free ends of said rods, resistance means supported on said rods, connections for connecting the resistance means in series with the caps, and a bar of insulating material supporting the free ends of the rods,

11. In an arrester, a'supporting base, a column of insulation supported on said base, a series of rods of insulating material projecting from said column, metallic caps on the free ends of said rods, resistance means supported on said rods, connections for connecting the resistance means in series with the caps, and a bar of insulating material sup-. porting the free ends of the rods, and aseries of removable disks secured on the outer ends "the width tionali2ed, resistance tact with each other.

12. In combination a series ofmetallic I disks placed edge'to edge out ofco'ntact-with each other,.a horn electrode secure'dto the uppermost disk, a ground connection secured to the lowermost disk, a series of insulating rods and a column supportin sai'drods, said rods supporting said disks m spaced relation, and resistance means connected in series between said disks. 3

13. In combination, a pair of sparkgap electrodes havin a spark gap between'them, a pair of spherical electrodes connected to .said' spark gap electrodes and forming a gap etween them of slightly greater width "than of the spark trodes adjacent them.

14. (In combination, a pair of arrester' electrodes each comprising a horizontal portion and a generally vertical portion, said verti cal portio'ns'forming a spark gap between them, a pair of spherical electrodes secured to said arrester electrodes adjacent the horizontal portion of each, said spherical-electrodes forming' greater width than the spark gap formed between the vertical portion. a

15. In combination, at pair of horngap electrodes one of said electrodes bein secmeans connec beand a spherical termiof said electrodes at a resistance means, said spherical terminals forming between them a spark gap directly between theline and ground, said spherical terminals being so located that a discharge formed between them will be transferred to the horngap electrodes and extinguish 16. In combination, a pair of horn electrodes, said horn electrodes having converging and diverging portions defining a throat or spark gap of minimum distance, a pair of spherical terminals cgunected to'said-electrodes, said spherical terminals being sep rated to form a spark gap greater than'the.

tween said sections, nal secured to each point below said gaps formed by elec-.

a spark gap of slightly spark gap at the throat of said electrodes and means for connecting 'ohe of the electrodes to i:

tion. of ex rotatable to present a series of air gaps consisting of a gap'formed by a horn shaped SKI/5" d in'a vertical row and being independ fresh arcing sur- "to edge with. their axes parallel arranged in trode secured "to'tlie upper -means a vertipal row, said disks consisting of a nonarcing alloy of zinc and copper, a horn elecdisk of the series,

for .supporting said disks in proximity but ont of contact with each other and a ground connectiori for thelowermost disk, said disks being independently rotatable to present fresh arcing surfaces.

, 20. In combination a horn gap electrode,

' a series of disks, said disks comprising an are extinguishing alloy of copper and zinc, said series of disks forming with the horn gap electrode a series of spark gaps in parallel and forming with each other a series of spark gaps in series relation and connec tions for the horn 5a electrode and for one of said disks, said islis being independently rotatable to present fresh arcin surfaces.

21. In an arrester, an electro e consisting of a plurality of-spaced disks or cylinders arranged in a vertical row with their axes parallel and a hornsha ed electrode and a second electrode forming a plurality of parallel spark gaps with said 'dlsks or cylinders and said horn shaped member, said disks being rotatable to present fresh arcing spr' faces.

of electrodes having spherical sented toward each other,- said spherical electrodes being ,adapted to have less break- 22. An arrester for the dissipation of ex? cess electrical energy comprisin a plurality of arcextinguishing gaps, sai gaps being formed between a common electrode and -a series of separate electrodes, said series of electrodes comprising a horn shaped member and a plurality of circular disks arran ed in a vertical row with their axes pa lel and bein individually rotatable to present fresh arcing surfaces.

23. In combination, horngap having ope horn consisting in part of a plurality of cylindrical electrodes having their axes lying parallel, and having their circular edges separated to form spark ga s, a pair aces predown resistance for certain types of disturbances and being adapted to transferan arc after it is formed to the adjacent horn- 24. In mbination,a horn electrode formed of an up )er solid metal diverging horn and another part below the horn comprising a series of cylindrical electrodes arranged in a vertical row, said. electrodes being spaced apart to form spark gaps between their cylindrical surfaces said cylindrical elec trodes being individ table manner to permit a fresh arcing surface to. be presented, and a solid electrode coiiperating with said hornelectrode to form a main spark gap.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 28th day of March, A. D. 1917.

ually secured in rota- 

